Kilkenny - five things to do

Delve into a world of intrigue, magic and mystery in Kilkenny city. We've got five to get you started…

A 12th-century castle for £50? 1. Soak up the atmosphere of a historic castle

A 12th-century castle for £50? Only in Kilkenny.

The city's famous Norman Castle was home to the Butlers of Ormonde for nearly five centuries, before the 6th Marquess of Ormonde offered it to the city of Kilkenny for £50 in 1967!

A tour will bring you to the Picture Gallery Win, and around the nooks and crannies of the library, with its psychedelic colour scheme. Don’t feel like doing a tour? No problem: 500 years of history is condensed into a 12-minute film in the Medieval Room in the South Tower, and it's free – you only pay to go into the rest of the castle.

The Kilkenny Cats take on Tipperary in hurling

2. Pick up a hurling stick and make like a local

The ancient Irish game of hurling has long links with Kilkenny (“Go the Cats”). The county’s team colours – black and amber – will often be seen on flags flying from every window and car. If you want to get under the skin of the sport, then hook up with The Ultimate Hurling Experience Tour. Rated five out of five on TripAdvisor, the tour gives a great insight into the game of hurling, which according to tour guide Jim Croke has been compared to a “mixture of ice hockey and murder”.

After an explanation of the rules, he brings you to an impeccably manicured pitch, hands you a genuine ash hurley stick and a hard leather stitched ball known as a sliotar – the rest is up to you.

3. Experience the story of Ireland's oldest ale

All that sporting action is bound to work up your thirst so make sure to stop by Kilkenny’s newest attraction: The Smithwick’s Experience Kilkenny. Here you’ll discover the medieval origins of brewing by 13th century monks to the fascinating heritage of the Smithwick’s family, who are responsible for creating Ireland’s oldest (over 300 years!) and one of the world’s favorite ales, Smithwick’s. Sláinte!

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4. Discover a “city pad” with a difference

Just a short distance from Black Abbey is the medieval jewellery box of Rothe House and Garden, a restored 16th-century Tudor home, where archaeologists recently found the remains of an earlier medieval townhouse (thought to be the “city pad” of the Abbot of nearby Duiske Abbey).

More specifically, they found the Abbot’s toilet, which revealed how he liked to spend his downtime. It turns out this guy lived pretty well, dining on swan and T-Bone steaks and washing it down with his favourite Bordeaux – we like his style.

5. Get crafty, Irish-style

Artists and craftspeople work in studios all around Kilkenny city. Renowned potter Nicholas Mosse creates his elegant pieces here, and the Kilkenny Design Centre anchors the city’s retail scene with a stunning collection of jewellery, knitwear, Celtic gifts, china, crystal and pottery.

And don’t miss the National Craft Gallery at Castle Yard, previously home to the stables and coach houses of Kilkenny Castle, where you can watch clay workers in action, or have a go yourself.

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